"It seems that this Rejuvenation Pavilion had planned everything well in advance," said an elderly member of the Mu Family with tightly furrowed brows.
"Moreover, the entourage to Rejuvenation Pavilion this time includes Che Taiming, the young master of the Che Corporation. As soon as he arrived in Capital City, he leveraged the strength of the Che Corporation to contact over a dozen press and media outlets, and there were also a lot of foreign journalists."
"Obviously, they want to make this exchange challenge known to everyone and create a massive public opinion. If we lose, Iâm afraid it will deal a huge blow to our Huaxia traditional Chinese medicine," continued that member of the Mu Family.
"The most critical issue is that both Huaxia traditional Chinese medicine and Goryeo medicine are applying for the status of World Intangible Cultural Heritage. Due to the similarities between Goryeo medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, thereâs been an ongoing debate over the true lineage of medical tradition. If we were to lose at this time, it would likely have a significant impact."
For a moment, everyone in the Mu Family hall had their brows tightly knit as they pondered in silence, now realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Whatâs there to fear? If Rejuvenation Pavilion has a disciple, donât tell me our Mu Family lacks talented youngsters. Jian Chun has been deeply influenced by his fatherâs teachings since he was young, his medical expertise is exquisite, and he has an abundance of experience. Surely defeating Chi Anxu will not be difficult," Mu Yunlong spoke calmly.
"Family Head, although young master Jian Chunâs medical skills are outstanding among his peers, to be honest, thereâs still a gap compared to that disciple from Rejuvenation Pavilion, and we must not lose this time. We must have absolute certainty," the Mu Family member who had spoken earlier said with a heavy voice.
Upon hearing this, Mu Yunlongâs expression turned somewhat unsightly, his gaze flickering.
"Elder, Rejuvenation Pavilion has sent over a letter." At that moment, a butler from the Mu Family quickly entered the hall, holding a letter in his hand.
"Let me take a look," Mu Qingsong said while taking the letter and scanning it, his brows furrowing immediately. Everyone watched Mu Qingsongâs reaction and began to silently guess the content of the letter.
"Whatâs wrong, Father? What does Rejuvenation Pavilion say in the letter?" Mu Yunlong couldnât help but ask.
Mu Qingsong put away the letter and said solemnly, "This is a challenge letter from Rejuvenation Pavilion. They will bring their disciple to Rejuvenation Pavilion tomorrow for an exchange competition between the younger generations of Goryeo medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. They have requested that we, Huaxia, send a young person no older than twenty-five to compete against their disciple."
"It seems Rejuvenation Pavilion really came prepared," the members of the Mu Family discussed among themselves.
"Mu Feng, what do you think we should do about this?" Mu Qingsongâs gaze shifted to Mu Feng, who remember was the elderly figure Ye Luo met in Zhonghai. This man was considered the strongest in medical skill within the Mu Family apart from Mu Qingsong himself, holding considerable sway in the family just behind Mu Qingsong and Mu Yunlong.
Mu Fengâs eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, "Elder, this competition carries great significance, and the fact that Rejuvenation Pavilion has chosen to hold it there is a clear provocation against our entire Mu Family. If we were to lose, it wouldnât just be Huaxia traditional Chinese medicine that would suffer a severe blow; the reputation of our Mu Family as a family of medical expertise would also be greatly tarnished. Although this is merely an exchange among the younger generation, it now represents the reputation and legitimacy of the competition between traditional Chinese medicine and Goryeo medicine."
Having said that, Mu Feng paused before continuing, "And now, Rejuvenation Pavilion has the confidence to send its disciple to challenge us, clearly having researched Huaxiaâs younger generation in the medical community, or even specifically the talented youths of our Mu Familyâs younger generation."
"Clearly, he is very confident that his disciple can overcome the strongest medical practitioner of our younger Mu Family generation, Master Jian Chun," said the speaker, "which is why he has come to engage in this contest. So, if we want to win this contest, we cannot send out Master Jian Chun."
"Oh, then who do you think we should send, Mu Feng?" Mu Qingsongâs eyes calmly fixed on Mu Feng.
"I have a candidate, and that is Ye Luo," Mu Feng said gravely.
"Mu Feng, is the Ye Luo youâre talking about the one who stole the show at Situ Familyâs birthday banquet?" One of the Mu family elders couldnât help but ask.
Mu Feng nodded, "Back in Zhonghai, Master Jian Chun once competed with Ye Luo, and in the end, he was narrowly defeated by this young man. Moreover, this young manâs acupuncture skills are incredibly exquisite and miraculous; even I find them inscrutable."
"Furthermore, he even cured the serious illness of Elder Qin previouslyâa clear testament that Ye Luoâs medical skills are incredibly powerful, possibly matching any of us here. Hence, if he represents us in the battle, we surely have great confidence and assurance."
Immediately, the members of the Mu Family began to discuss animatedly, all talking about Ye Luo.
"Elder Mu Feng, isnât this inappropriate? After all, this contest is a challenge between our Mu Family and the Valley. If we let someone from outside the family compete, we might win, but it will still tarnish the reputation of our Mu Family. Wouldnât it suggest that our younger generation is incompetent?" Mu Yunlong said, furrowing his brows deeply.
"Yet, this would defend the honor of Huaxiaâs traditional medicine and affirm the rightful place of Huaxian traditional medicine in the medical community. Compared to that, what is a slight dent in the Mu Familyâs reputation? Ultimately, this is the reality, and there is nothing for us to reject," Mu Feng said mildly.
"Mu Feng is right. This matter concerns not only the Mu Familyâs reputation but more importantly, the prestige of Huaxiaâs traditional medicine. There must be no slip-ups. Iâve seen Ye Luoâs acupuncture techniques myselfâthey are exceptionally powerful, and even I am no match for him."
"With him competing against the disciple from the Valley, I believe he will surely win. However, weâre still unsure if he will agree. Therefore, I will personally extend him an invitation to join this contest," Mu Qingsong declared with a grave voice.
Mu Yunlongâs eyes showed a hint of surprise, as he said, "Father, with your status, personally inviting a junior... it seems quite inappropriate."
"Letâs not concern ourselves with that at this moment. This youngster has harbored some grievances against our Mu Family because of what happened with Jian Chun. For the honor of Huaxiaâs traditional medicine, I must go myself. Otherwise, it would be pointless sending anyone else," Mu Qingsong spoke with a somber expression.
In a room of the Mu Family, Mu Jian Chun was shocked to learn that Ye Luo would be the one competing against the disciple of the Korean medical master from the Valley. His face quickly filled with rage.
"Father, why is this? Shouldnât I be the one to compete? I am the one with the strongest medical skills among the younger generation of our Mu Family. Why should this outsider be the one to compete?" Mu Jian Chun said, clearly unwilling to accept the decision.
"Isnât this because your medical skills werenât up to the task? You were defeated by Ye Luo back in Zhonghai. Thatâs why father decided to let him take part insteadâitâs a safer bet," Mu Yunlong said, looking at his son, who he has always been so proud of, with a hint of a sigh.